Atlanta Hawks: Hawks 103, Cavaliers 87
Vivlamore reporting from Cleveland. Here is my game story from the Hawks win over the Cavs Sunday so you may comment.
CLEVELAND – All the Hawks needed was one good quarter out of Joe Johnson.
They got that – and more.
Despite being thinned by injury, coach Larry Drew was cognizant of putting too much stress on Johnson’s troublesome left knee. However, the All-Star scored 13 of his game-high 28 points in the first quarter en route to a 103-87 victory over the Cavaliers Sunday at Quicken Loans Arena.
By the end of the first 12 minutes, in which Johnson played every one, the Hawks had built a 12-point lead. Johnson was 4 of 5 from the field, including hitting all three 3-pointers, and had four assists. He scored the Hawks’ first seven points after the Cavaliers scored the first four points of the game. It would be their only lead.
The lead grew to as much as 17 points in the second quarter with Johnson on the bench for a good portion resting the knee that recently cost him six games with tendinitis. The Hawks would lead by as many as 19 points, before withstanding a third-quarter 18-5 Cavaliers run that saw their advantage trimmed to six points. Johnson answered with two straight baskets as the Hawks went on an 8-0 run and pushed the lead back to double-digits.
“I just try to take what the defense gives me,” said Johnson, who ended up playing 35 minutes. “It wasn’t anything special I was out there doing.”
The Hawks (26-19, 13-13 on the road) have won two straight as they go into Monday’s key Eastern Conference matchup with the Celtics at Philips Arena.
Although injuries forced his hand to a degree, Drew has switched to a starting lineup that features Johnson at small forward, with Kirk Hinrich at shooting guard and Jeff Teague at point guard. It’s paying dividends. Johnson is averaging 25.7 points in the past six games since returning from the knee injury. Teague finished with 18 points Sunday. Hinrich, who is averaging 9.5 points over the past nine games, finished with 14 points.
“We are doing what we have to do with all the guys injured,” Hinrich said. “It seems like, depending on what day it is, someone is hurt, someone is back. We are just trying to hang in there.”
Drew said he challenged Teague to be more aggressive in the second half and take on the challenge of facing Cavaliers star rookie point guard Kyrie Irving. Teague scored 13 of his points after intermission, including several drives to the basket.
For his part, Teague likes the three-guard approach.
“I like playing with Kirk,” Teague said. “He is going to help you out on defense. He’s going to knock down shots. He raises the level of intensity on the floor. It makes me pick up my energy because I see him playing so hard.”
The Hawks improved to 15-2 when Johnson scores 20 or more points.
It appears the three-guard approach may be around for awhile.
“It gives us another guard who can really defend,” Drew said. “It takes [Johnson] off the ball a little bit but we are still able to run things through him. With both Jeff and Kirk in the backcourt it gives us some versatility at the guard spot.
“With Kirk in the lineup, especially at the very beginning, he really gets after it. It just makes us much more aggressive and gives us another guy with the ability to break you down off the dribble. It gives us another guy who can catch and shoot. So far it has worked out.”
Josh Smith struggled offensively, finishing with just seven points on 3 of 15 shooting. Smith had more assists (season-high tying nine) and rebounds (eight) than points.
The Cavaliers (16-26), who lost for the third straight time, were led by Alonzo Gee with 20 points. Irving added 19 points and Antwan Jamison had 17. The Hawks had six double-digit scorers in a 27-point win over the Cavaliers at Philips Arena on Jan. 21.
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130 comments Add your comment
KevinA
March 18th, 2012
7:26 pm
good win, loved the early passing
STRETCH
March 18th, 2012
7:27 pm
1ST!
Rico
March 18th, 2012
7:28 pm
Go Hawks! Cannot wait for Big Al to get back with this Unit. Josh really stepped it up in his absence.
tjhook
March 18th, 2012
7:29 pm
Interesting comments by Teague. So Hinrich inspires him to play harder . . . that is good to know, especially since the core has not provided that type of leadership. We should see how that plays out and if Willie Green can bring that sort of inspiration. Sund may get Executive of the Year yet. The key is what things is Coach Drew willing to try or not try.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 18th, 2012
7:34 pm
“So Najeh do you contend that Collins has a Bowen-like defensive impact that his numbers can’t account for?”
Not to Bowen’s extent, but he has had a significant defensive impact for a big part of his career. The dude started for an NBA Finals team. I don’t care what your numbers are, you can’t do that if you are a scrub.
Collins is a specialist, just like Jason Kapono or Reggie Evans is a specialist. The difference is that the one thing that Kapono (shooting) and Evans (rebounding) do well is reflected in PER, whereas the one thing Collins does well (post defense) is not. Doesn’t make Collins a good player, but it definitely means he doesn’t belong in a list of the worst players in the league.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 18th, 2012
7:37 pm
I didn’t see the game… what happened with Josh? Did he take a lot of bad shots or was he just unlucky on the shots he usually makes?
Jameyan
March 18th, 2012
7:59 pm
@Najeh… When Josh realized his was on the verge of a triple double he started forcing shots and jacking 3’s…Which led to Cleveland to make a run in the 3rd. Drew took him out and didn’t see the floor again…I am excited about this 3 guard look because there aren’t too many great SF’s who Joe has to deal with on the offense and defensive end…Mismatch everywhere on the court
Spyro
March 18th, 2012
7:59 pm
Mix of both, Najeh.
Spyro
March 18th, 2012
8:08 pm
When Josh realized his was on the verge of a triple double he started forcing shots and jacking 3’s
Wow, some people are that stupid. That’s not what happened.
brigadierjerry
March 18th, 2012
8:11 pm
Saw this posted elsewhere wondering what your guys thoughts on the below post:
The Hawks seem to always build a nice mid range team that goes nowhere and then keep the basic same core for 5 years until there is beyond a shadow of a doubt that group of players can’t take them to the finals. They did it before in the late 90’s and its funny to me that they are doing something similar now by keeping the same core for so long with minimal changes
From Basically 1995-1999 these were their main starters each year excluding Mutombo who joined in the Summer of 1996.
Mutombo
Laettner/Henderson
Corbin
Smith
Blaylock
If u look at the team they basically had the best defensive center in the league Mutombo which was suppose to take the team to the next level. The problem wasn’t him, it is that Blaylock was a steady, but nothing special PG who was rapidly aging. Steve Smith was a talented shooter who had a good attitude. He however didn’t have the passion of a true leader in crunch time. Corbin got lucky and found a niche with Lenny Wikens despite being old and being the worst starting 3 in the league for years. They eventually got Laphonso Ellis but even he was sorta washed up by the time he got to Atlanta. Laettner was always soft and made dumb mistakes but they basically got him for Andrew Lang who was less talented overall. Hindu eventually turned out to be good, but by that time, the Hawks were ready to rebuild. This sounds very familiar to the situation on our team now.
Basically what I am saying is that the Hawks usually have one special player surrounded by other players who will never elevate their game to the level needed for a deep playoffs push. Management doesn’t wanna rebuild, but all they need to do is swap out their young pieces for different young pieces and try to find championship caliber chemistry, the same thing the Hawks of the late 90’s should have done but waited too late to do and caused a long painful rebuilding process for Atlanta fans including putting people like Bob Sura and Pryzbillia on the floor getting heavy minutes.
drmaryb.[*_*].
March 18th, 2012
8:26 pm
Biggie Lou, pumpkin pie … Our finale is 30 mins away! Yeah! I got my Heineken’s packed on ice and the popcorn is popped … Its showtime baby boy!
The Walking Dead on AMC!
My Hawks did their thing, the laundry is done, my teeth are flossed – three times today. Its a fine day at my house!
Let’s go Get them Celtics! WIN on 3 … 1 2 3!!! WIN.
TMACfan
March 18th, 2012
8:32 pm
Good stuff guys, keep it up!
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
March 18th, 2012
8:40 pm
FIRE LD
FIRE SUND
FIRE WOODY
FIRE JOE
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
March 18th, 2012
8:44 pm
I REALLY like this Teague Kirk Joe lineup. All 3 can defend, are quick, good passers, and they all can shoot reasonably well.
Kirk had a rough stretch when he returned, but he has settled in nicely. The extra minutes will help him get a new contract too so he must be pretty happy. It’s pretty cool he and Teague can switch off on guarding the other team’s PG (like a John Wall). This is a very good point guard depth chart we have and I hope Pargo returns soon
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
March 18th, 2012
8:45 pm
Our upcoming schedule is not tough. We should win every single game this week.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
March 18th, 2012
8:46 pm
We do have a b2b2b the 23rd-25th. 2 of those teams suck. I can see us losing in Washington for some reason.
Slimjr
March 18th, 2012
8:54 pm
Hire Woody!
Go Knicks!
Slimjr
March 18th, 2012
8:56 pm
Pargos gone for a while? Its no doubt trap!
Big Lou
March 18th, 2012
9:01 pm
drmaryb, lucious lips, it’s time. Gonna be sweet!
Heineken? You’re my type of gal.
Game time.
Big Lou
March 18th, 2012
9:04 pm
Wow… that’s a crap ton of Walkers… Wow.
drmaryb.[*_*].
March 18th, 2012
9:14 pm
Big Lou! I told you they were gonna set that barn on fiyah!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dayum there is a lot of them walkers coming! They’re gonna get away in the cars … Looks like Herschel is gonna lay down and die .. Or go to the basement and survive? IDK man!
Slimjr
March 18th, 2012
9:17 pm
drmaryb: checkout “The creature from jekeyll island”
Goldman Sach’s is childs play compared to these boogers..
drmaryb.[*_*].
March 18th, 2012
9:25 pm
Did blondie get off? She was left behind! I saw Darrell get his woman! The civil rights attorney ran into the woods me thinks! Wow! Biggie Lou!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
March 18th, 2012
9:25 pm
“I can see us losing in Washington for some reason.”
Washington looks much better without McGee. One of the rare cases in which addition by subtraction is actually true. And when the Hawks go to DC Nene will probably be in uniform.
By the way Marc Gasol had 1 turnover and zero free throw attempts in the 4th quarter of the Wizards-Grizzlies game. If he had made one trip to the line and not had that turnover, you would have beat me 6-5.
Big Lou
March 18th, 2012
9:26 pm
drmaryb, yes you did. I told you there would be a ton of walkers. I wonder where that Helicopter came from. Also, so far only two farm people are dead. Andrea might be dead too, though.
Big Lou
March 18th, 2012
9:30 pm
You go Glenn! You go!
drmaryb.[*_*].
March 18th, 2012
9:34 pm
Do these gas guzzlers ever run outa’ gas – Biggie Lou?
Big Lou
March 18th, 2012
9:36 pm
Motorcycles are great on gas. Way to be overanalyzing, though.
drmaryb.[*_*].
March 18th, 2012
9:39 pm
Biggie … I think Andrea is gonna make it somehow …I saw here head for the woods! She should stumble out on the HWY … She had a duffle bag filled with guns on her.
Big Lou
March 18th, 2012
9:41 pm
No way Andrea can be near them. The farm is miles away and she’s on foot, compared to them in vehicles.
drmaryb.[*_*].
March 18th, 2012
9:41 pm
Old eagle eyes don’t miss a thing. Haha
Big Lou
March 18th, 2012
9:45 pm
Run chick, run!!!!
drmaryb.[*_*].
March 18th, 2012
9:46 pm
Biggie Lou …. Honey Buns … I told you she was running in the woods! They shoulda put food in the cars man … Not the basement!
Big Lou
March 18th, 2012
9:47 pm
I knew it!!!! Score points for big easy!
Big Lou
March 18th, 2012
9:48 pm
Yeah, but she’s far away.
drmaryb.[*_*].
March 18th, 2012
9:49 pm
Air Borne! Kudos Biggie – you called it! They’re all infected! That explains why so many walkers. Once dead the virus wakes them up to walk! Wow! This is brutal ugly!
Big Lou
March 18th, 2012
9:51 pm
Rick: “I wanted him dead”
Gangsta.
His wife is an idiot, though. She caused it.
drmaryb.[*_*].
March 18th, 2012
9:51 pm
How ironic, the girl who wanted to kill herself is still alive! Haha …. Biggie Lou!!!!!!!!
drmaryb.[*_*].
March 18th, 2012
9:55 pm
Run Bambie Run! Is right! She will catch up to them at the stop, where the finally ran outa’ gas! They should have siphoned gas from those stranded cars.
I’m sure the keys are in the ignition, they should have switched getaway cars too. Everybody who can drive should have grabbed one.
Overanalyzing? Me thinks not .. Just smart that’s all. Hey God blessed my mind! Blame God … LOL
Rico.
March 18th, 2012
9:56 pm
I can wait til Al gets back I hope he can pass a physical, we should really get a good return on him on the trade market. He will never be in Josh’s league so its best to ship Al for a High 1st rounder and cap space.
Big Lou
March 18th, 2012
9:58 pm
Chick with a Katana???!! Hot. Super hot. With zombies on leashes… wtf.
drmaryb.[*_*].
March 18th, 2012
9:58 pm
Who was that? The grim reaper?
Sorry cohortts … Gotta’ talk to Biggie Lou!
Hawks won, let me talk dead! LOL
Rico.
March 18th, 2012
9:59 pm
Spyro
March 18th, 2012
8:08 pm
When Josh realized his was on the verge of a triple double he started forcing shots and jacking 3’s
Wow, some people are that stupid. That’s not what happened.
Yeah We know Spyro, but a lot of Al horford supporters feel they need to hate and dis Josh in order to make Al look better. Its sad that Josh Does such an out standing job and the haters just dont quit.
Slimjr
March 18th, 2012
10:00 pm
For your entertainment purpose:
http://io9.com/5893615/absolutely-mindblowing-video-shot-from-the-space-shuttle-during-launch
Big Lou
March 18th, 2012
10:01 pm
I know what she is. I bet she’s a walker that is conscious. I bet money! Like maybe they can stay sane after being bitten.
doc
March 18th, 2012
10:02 pm
the great furman bisher is dead is the headline. man i enjoyed him so many times over the years of my addiction to all sports a true word craftsman.
he will be missed, the memories great ….. SELAH.
Big Lou
March 18th, 2012
10:02 pm
Was that a prison? Wow. Awesome set up for next season.
Sautee
March 18th, 2012
10:11 pm
doc,
You know how I feel about Furman. Part of my raisin’. RIP
drmaryb.[*_*].
March 18th, 2012
10:13 pm
Thriller!
The original zombie movie: Michael Jackson gets a shout out! RIP Michael, so sad he isn’t around to see how he inspired this movie.
Big Lou
March 18th, 2012
10:16 pm
That chick with the swords is a sista, too. I saw her in the comics. She’s one bad mocha killa. Awesome.
Big Lou
March 18th, 2012
10:17 pm
She’s going to put T dog to shame. Lol
doc
March 18th, 2012
10:26 pm
yeah sautee, i thought of you and our conversations as i read about it. seeme like a pretty good and full life.
hbcuclassics
March 18th, 2012
10:30 pm
HBCU Classic Sports
2012 Draft Preview
CB, Justin Ferrell, NC A&T
http://www.hbcuclassics.com/hbcu_showcase
drmaryb.[*_*].
March 18th, 2012
10:31 pm
Biggie Lou!
Andrea will survive … She ran across the woods and they drove around the circle. Pi is 3.14869 … Half the radius in a circle equals 1/4 the distance they drove. She can do it in about 3-5 miles to their driving 15 – 17 miles.
Big Lou
March 18th, 2012
10:35 pm
drmaryb, tender one, she won’t have to since Michonne (person in the hood with the katanas)saved her life. You remember how we were talking about how the brothas and sistas got shafted in this show? Not with her. She’s a bad chick. Now I have a new hottie to look at, sorry Maggy. haha
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
March 18th, 2012
10:42 pm
FIRE SUND
RIO ON TUESDAY
JaeEvolution
March 18th, 2012
11:22 pm
I really hoped the Suns would deal Steve Nash at the deadline because he single-handedly makes that team relevant and the pick from them would’ve been a lot earlier in the second round. Now they are only .5 games out of the 8th seed in the West.
northcyde
March 18th, 2012
11:34 pm
SMH @ Westbrook. Having a great game, but missing a ton of FTs. Gotta help me out at the FT line dude. I don’t want to lose 11 – 0
Grandad
March 19th, 2012
2:16 am
I must say that I have missed two Hawks games in a row.
I did not watch our Hawks today / tonite whenever ?
Once again, I understand they won.
*[not good for our draft positioning]
_____________________________________________
Myself – I just finished watching all or parts of 48 B-ball games;
within four days.
Furthermore; I packed 48 games, (46 hours of watching) …
into an 82 hour span of time.
Needless to say;
my youngest son and I have developed basketball watcher`s fatigue.
The tournament this year was devoid for the most part
of very few’`stinkers`’.
The games were competitive, well played, coached and officiated.
I cannot remember a tournament with as much balance. [parity]
I saw some players who were fun to watch who probably
will -never- play in the NBA:
*Knutson, *Conklin, *Hornung, *O`Quinn, *Pressey, *Wolters
*Daniel & Aska [Murray St], *DJ Cooper, *Gordon, *Primm
amongst many many others ! ! ! ! !
The really good NBA prospects I`ll apprise later.
Sad news; Kendall Marshall breaking his wrist.
Teams I was pullin` for;
Murray St. / Fla St / Vandy / ‘`the Jackrabbits`’ / Belmont;
Norfolk St / Lehigh / Saint Louis … All Gone !
On the other hand:
Georgia is & was well represented in the tourney:
*[unfortunately all these Georgians did not play for a state team]
*Jae Crowder – Marquette; *Bernard James – Fla St;
*Richard Howell & Lorenzo Brown – NC St; *Chris Allen – Iowa St
*Cashmere Wright – Cincinnati; *Jeremy Lamb – UConn;
*Wesley Witherspoon – Memphis
*Norfolk St = 2 plyrs / *Wichita St = 2 plyrs / *S.Fla = 1
*Belmont = 2 plyrs / *UNC Asheville = 1 / *Ohio St = 1
*Bama = 1 / *U of Tn = 4 plyrs / *Western Ky = 1
The Sweet 16 is yet to come:
One Regional is in the ATL – I hope to attend !
I do love March Madnesss.
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
March 19th, 2012
3:05 am
I need to take my Fire Woody t-shirts up to NY when the Knicks start losing.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
March 19th, 2012
4:41 am
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
March 19th, 2012
3:05 am
I need to take my Fire Woody t-shirts up to NY when the Knicks start losing.
****
keep them down here for the March 30th game.
FIRE LD
FIRE SUND
FIRE JOE
AMNESTY GEARON
Big Daddy
March 19th, 2012
6:43 am
Good win for the guys. Balanced attack and Joe and Zaza have been great the last few games. JT is coming into his own and the 3 guard offense is working. GO HAWKS!!!!
rk
March 19th, 2012
6:45 am
As if Clevelands team were not bhad enough, they pick up Luke Walton.
drmaryb.[*_*].
March 19th, 2012
6:52 am
T-Dog!
Biggie Lou! hot cakes … T-Dog? I mean really? This brother has no dog in him … Stereotype in his name? LOL
drmaryb.[*_*].
March 19th, 2012
7:18 am
Michonne!
Biggie Lou, desperate heart … I didn’t know this movie, (The Walking Dead) was based on a comic book? Is Michonne a sista’? This Fall, 3rd season is gonna’ be great. Did you see the landscape in the background?
A prison or a Wal-Mart? LOL! I thought it was “the farm” and, the crew was gonna’ return to the scene of the crime. Looks like it’s gonna’ be a Prison for the next main scenes.
That should be fun. Looks like Michonne will save Andrea. Might as well pipe down now and wait for September 2012. Oh well … back to my Hawks and the upcoming draft.
Do you think Fab Melo will fall to the Hawks? Someone posted Rand-Mo’s D-League stats line of 27 pts and 14 rebs with 5 blocks yesterday with The Ducks.
I say, that was an abberation against other like scrubs. Leave him there. Rand-Mo had ample time here and was a buster. Go get Kito Benson back, he has upside just no muscles. Better eat his Wheaties!!!
Get Well Soon – Pargo! doc have a 4 – 6 weeks prognosis (sooner if no infections). What a blow! Who will step up next? Marvin, Vlad, Green, Collins? … Queries abound!
drmaryb(*(*)
March 19th, 2012
7:20 am
State of The Art!
The Suns are freezing their players off the court so that they will move more freely on the court. Cryotherapy has entered the NBA vernacular, and the Suns are one of four teams to have a cryosauna in their facility for a chilling training approach. With the franchise’s $50,000 investment in the equipment, Suns players are stepping into a nitrogen gas cylindrical chamber that accelerates and intensifies a process previously left to 12 minutes in an ice bath. The Suns still use ice baths but now have a mechanism that requires only three minutes of a dry freeze. Marcin Gortat compares it to walking outside in Poland in the winter. Arizona Republic
Phoenix Suns, Marcin Gortat | share
Players, while standing, rotate every 30 seconds. Bursts of gas blow from the interior sides of the unit to surround the player’s body, starting out at minus-166 degrees and quickly cooling to between minus-256 and minus-274. The machine is capable of dipping to minus-320. Arizona Republic
Phoenix Suns | share
The hyper-cold temperature shocks the body, sending it into “survival mode,” Suns head athletic trainer Aaron Nelson said. The immune system prompts blood to rush away from the extremities to protect the vital organs in the player’s core, where the blood is oxygen- and nutrient-enriched. Once the three minutes in the chamber ends, the body relaxes from the stress and sends the enriched blood to areas it is needed, such as fatigued muscles. “We use it for muscle recovery to pump the blood through the body,” Nelson said. “We’re trying to re-energize or reboot the body. It gives you a feeling of being cold and jump-starts your metabolism to feel refreshed the rest of the day.” Arizona Republic
Phoenix Suns
___________
Why can’t we do this?
vava74
March 19th, 2012
7:23 am
This is not a 3 guard offense.
This is JJ playing in the right position for this stage of his career.
He a tad slower than earlier in his career and that was starting to show against SG.
But at the SF slot, he is faster (in particular with the rock) than most opposing SFs so he will have an easier time beating off the dribble taller, heavier and less agile players than the ones that play SG.
This is not rocket science.
Also: with Hinrich on the floor instead of Marvin we have 4 guys who can handle the rock and make a pass.
Marvin can’t dribble, is seldom aggressive and does not command any degree of attention from the defenses when he starts so we play 4 on 5 in many nights.
JJ may not be a very apt rebounder but Hinrich is bombing from 3 point land from the SG slot and bringing a pretty well rounded game which makes JJ’s presence at the SF globally much more effective for us.
doc
March 19th, 2012
7:26 am
dmb, that is a type of sauna that is used a lot in the euro countries as a public health aide. man, it would be great to have that and an infar red sauna at home to use daily. i might live longer than ted williams. heh heh
drmaryb(*(*)
March 19th, 2012
7:31 am
vava >>> nice stuff. you have been on point for several weeks now. kudos and keep up the great work. what is your solution for new rotations with all the new injuries? what’s wrong with vlad’s health? will marvin ever start again in a Hawks uni?
doc
March 19th, 2012
7:34 am
yup to that vava. you know how long i have been a proponent of dropping the pretense and putting jj at that position. it is probably political in nature because of things like labels for all star voting and other recognition because as we know joe dont bound; it is a missing link to his game at sf. the teams stats have usually gone up in the configuration with jj at sf by 82 games. as an aside would like to have marvin gunning more at backup pf but that is a discussion for a different day.
jj could be as vital as pierce and it would prolong his career to move in that direction. the guy cant keep up now at sg. he doesnt appear to like to go through and create off screens and never has been one to do that in the traditional sense. it is probably why he liked having the ball in his hands so he didnt have to. it wasted a lot of other players on the floor.
in unison, how many have whined play inside out instead of jj hold ball? many and maybe it will finally be answered.
drmaryb(*(*)
March 19th, 2012
7:36 am
yes doc, that Suns medical staff is outa’ sight! see Grant (over the) Hill? Steve (no drop off)Nash? No wonder these guys don’t want to play anywhere else … the owners even with money issues, don’t seem to hold back on health care expenses. too bad we don’t share that approach here, investing in human resources an assets management.
good stuff!
drmaryb(*(*)
March 19th, 2012
7:43 am
MIA!
Grand-Daddy, first love … do you think Fab Melo missing his time on the Big Stage will make him slip to us, or, do you think he’ll be looked at as a high schooler loaded with talent and taken high in the draft?
I’ve never seen him play and don’t know his position nor, upsides. is he a big man at the 5? is he a nut job or just dumb academically? how do you not take care of the academics at this stage in college? sollege is not that hard, all you got to do is go to class, show interest, effort. study and make C’s. how hard is that? not very.
vava74
March 19th, 2012
7:44 am
yes doc, no question about it.
on the all-star selection, in a year where Deng was selected, I don’t think there is any question that JJ would still be selected at the SF slot.
Apart from ‘Melo (due to voting) and Lebron (due to both voting and quality of play) I don’t think there is another SF that can beat JJ out of being selected to the All-star.
Pierce is a perfectly example since I think he played a bit of SG as well in the past but now sticks to what he can still do which is to use superior handle and craftiness to get his mid range game going against guys who are longer but not quick and adhesive enough to close him out.
JJ can do that as well and from the SF slot I think he will have a lot more opportunities to get into the lane for his floaters.
Yesterday he even had a beautiful banker in the 3rd quarter (or early 4th?) when he was backing down Gee, who although not too long is very strong and JJ managed to do easily do it.
terrell
March 19th, 2012
7:45 am
KEEP MARVIN ON THE BENCH!
THE END.
vava74
March 19th, 2012
7:52 am
drmaryb,
With Pargo down for weeks I think LD will have no option but to:
a) Use Teague more minutes (which for me is a plus – he can handle 40 minutes per EASILY);
b) Use T-Mac at the SG slot more minutes and run the offense through him;
c) Hope that Green can come back to assist at the PG slot;
d) And give Stack some minutes. He seems to have his legs back and is able to play for short spurts.
Tonight is a difficult game for us IMO, but I am hopeful that Josh will have a bounce back game benefiting from the rest LD gave him in the 4th.
drmaryb(*(*)
March 19th, 2012
8:32 am
Through the Wall!
vava, i like that: play Teague more minutes – he ready! TMac will prove to be invaluable, he can play three positions, defend two and rebound, make plays with his smarts and passing ability.
Question is? will he hold up heatlh wise. He bantied for more PT, but is that realistic or ego talk? Ivan should see more PT time too, esp with Vlad down, Ivan can’t stretch the defense with jumpers, but he can go inside and barrell his way to and 1’s, charges and great postiional defense. I believe Ivan’s body can handle more minutes even though he is 27 … he is a HUNGRY MAN!
I see Drew is getting a lot of love from the national media for the step up play of the bench. we all know his hand is being forced due to injuries … and that translates into a contract extension. I don’t mind that, as long as Drew is learning from his mistakes and poor tendencies. The players seem to like playing for Drew, but are they running through brick walls with enthusiasm? Is that even necessary?
I think so, come play off time!
doc
March 19th, 2012
8:43 am
vava, i wish more of these guys used the glass instead of floaters. i think percentage wise once to the side they go up. dont know what has happened to the bank shot.
yes, to the pierce thing as i have used that as the prototype for jj and to try to poorly justify and rationalize his long term contract by thinking he could play that position later in his career like umm, now.
deng was selected but i see him more of the tweener and a two as much a three. maybe that is wrong but i have also seen him put the clamps on jj for years now it seems. i think pierce, melo and labron sort of stand in the way on the all star vote at three, whereas, only dwade does at two for sure. yup labron can and is more a four but he calls himself a three for now with bosh at four and he may be better than pierce except pierce is such a gamer he cant be excluded. you still got three real superstars at three so politically or for the image, it is best to stay at two.
i say no to tmac at two and to leave tmac at three. play jj at three with slides to two as hinrich and teague round it out. that would be how to manage it with four guys for three slots. unless teague is sucking it then ride the young legs. really could go with ivan, zaza and josh for a seven man rotation against the best teams and fill some blows with the likes of damp, stack and whoever is still standing to really contribute.
Shaq M. Bradley
March 19th, 2012
8:55 am
Good 2 C JJ earning dat money. We uh see if dey can ball agint the Celtics soon. Rondo,Ray,and KG don’t play.
Shaq M. Bradley
March 19th, 2012
9:01 am
T-Mac,Damp,and Stack are expensible. Dat word mean dey boff expensive & expendable.
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
March 19th, 2012
9:03 am
GREG ODEN IS OUT FOR THE SEASON PEOPLE. HE MAY NEVER PLAY AGAIN. WE ARE NOT GETTING GREG FREAKING ODEN
GREG ODEN IS OUT FOR THE SEASON PEOPLE. HE MAY NEVER PLAY AGAIN. WE ARE NOT GETTING GREG FREAKING ODEN
GREG ODEN IS OUT FOR THE SEASON PEOPLE. HE MAY NEVER PLAY AGAIN. WE ARE NOT GETTING GREG FREAKING ODEN
GREG ODEN IS OUT FOR THE SEASON PEOPLE. HE MAY NEVER PLAY AGAIN. WE ARE NOT GETTING GREG FREAKING ODEN
Slimjr
March 19th, 2012
9:05 am
Angles, Angles, Angles?
The bank shot has evaporated probably due to fact that athelete verticals have increased across the board over these past 15 years so guys are worried about getting their ish thrown out of bounds..I say don’t worry about it..Just keep shooting….
Woody for PRESIDENT!!!!!!!!
HIRE WOODY!!!!
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
March 19th, 2012
9:05 am
I thought Pargo was just out a few games?
And is Willie Green ever returning? Good God.
Slimjr
March 19th, 2012
9:08 am
Pargo gone for weeks? Its a Trap alright…
doc
March 19th, 2012
9:26 am
pargo’s recovery from his surgery depends on what they found once inside and the incision to get there. best possible scenario, two weeks. the conservative approach is 4 to 6 weeks to let incisions heal completely before stressing them. folks this was real surgery due to a rotting sick appendix with anesthesia and everything that goes along with it.
to think “a few games out” went out the window when it was determined it wasnt due to a stomach “virus”. like when oden got micro-fracture surgery on one or both knees meant he wasnt going to be quite ready for a test ride before the playoffs. it is going to take a while unless they did a lap appy under the best of circumstances.
vava74
March 19th, 2012
10:17 am
with luck Pargo will come back on time to play the last 4 games of the regular season and tune up for the playoffs.
Big Lou
March 19th, 2012
10:34 am
If Green stops being ‘injured’, then the loss of Pargo isn’t as bad. Let’s see if he can stop having spasms. Yet, with the loss of both, I expect more minutes for JJ, Kirk, and Teague. Hopefully, that idiot LD doesn’t give JJ too many minutes during that time period.
Geemack
March 19th, 2012
10:41 am
When is Al expected to return?
Any chance he return during the regular season?
drmaryb.[*_*].
March 19th, 2012
10:51 am
Fundamentally Sound!
“vava, i wish more of these guys used the glass instead of floaters. i think percentage wise once to the side they go up. dont know what has happened to the bank shot. ” -doc-
____________
Post of The Year on Mr. Joseph Johnson going on up there, from doc. Copyright That!
Re: bank shots doc, the problem is that none of the post Jordan Era – All Stars know how to create a bank shot fundamentally. They don’t show those type shots on the ESPN highlight reels. Period. Instead of working on their bank shot techniques, they’re practicing a glass shattering windmill dunk. Period. Shame on both the media and the player himself. Neither can they play a mid-range offensive game. What happened to the George Gervins? They can’t pass, dribble, box out nor rebound either. It’s either a Blake Griffin dunk or a damned three point shot – that’s what they care about on twitter tweeps now a days. It’s all about the fantasy league now.
Slimjr
March 19th, 2012
11:00 am
Most good looking car for 2012: Fisker Karma Hybrid, saw one up close in Florida 3 weeks ago..Pictures don’t do justice Sir!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABlWqBB6zPE&feature=related
Knicks by 20!
Slimjr
March 19th, 2012
11:09 am
Lebron James needs a midrange game:
He would have beaten Dallas in that Championship series if he had it?
Monday And-1 links: LeBron, Thibodeau setting records | ProBasketballTalk
March 19th, 2012
11:39 am
[...] Kirk Hinrich may stick as the starter in Atlanta. [...]
Buddy Grizzard
March 19th, 2012
1:36 pm
Some notes about how the remaining schedule favors the Hawks:
http://www.hoopinionblog.com/2012/03/remaining-schedule-favors-hawks.html
SteveW
March 19th, 2012
1:45 pm
26-19 with a depleted roster, embarrassing losses to a minimum, I’m happy. I think we can beat any team in the East in a playoff series, and make the ECF. Or we could lose in the 1st round. Top 8 teams pretty evenly matched.
I am concerned about this stretch of 10 games in 14 days we’re currently on. That is just brutal. If I was LD, I’d have a game in the middle of it where I sat Zaza, Teague, JJ, and Josh. Just let them rest.
April is looking much more favorable for us, at least as far as scheduling.
As far as Hollinger is concerned his stats show we’ve played a very tough schedule to this point. We deserve a patsy week like this week.
Teague has played about the way I thought he would. I predicted an 11 and 5 season from him, so he’s about on track. I didn’t expect his low turnover rate which is a plus.
And I didn’t expect him to average more blocks per game than Zaza, or to be Top 10 in steals like he has been most of the year.
Overall, tough to complain. If LD will watch his rotations, keep us fresh for the playoffs, I like our chances.
I hope the Heat don’t sign Turiaf or Fisher…
honest_abe
March 19th, 2012
1:48 pm
really like the new lineup. as vava already pointed out it’s the right move for jj at this point in his career. give those tired legs a rest from chasing shooters off screens all night. and of course the addition by subtraction of taking marvin out of the lineup is sweet!
honest_abe
March 19th, 2012
1:51 pm
doc – i recently ruptured my achilles and chose to go with a hard boot rather than have surgery. i should be ok, right?
Buddy Grizzard
March 19th, 2012
1:54 pm
*[not good for our draft positioning] – G-Dad
Haha, my link above also is not good for our draft positioning.
Buddy Grizzard
March 19th, 2012
2:04 pm
LD II could have helped North Carolina go farther in the NCAA Tournament last year. I hope he’s happy to be sitting on his ass in Encino when he could be auditioning for NBA scouts.
Slimjr
March 19th, 2012
2:11 pm
“Atlanta, which has faced the 3rd-hardest schedule, will face the 2nd-easiest schedule the rest of the way.”- hoopinion
Home court is key to advance..
Sautee
March 19th, 2012
2:15 pm
Buddy, I don’t think LD II is anywhere CLOSE to an NBA prospect. A camp invitee at best. I think LD knows that his son can’t cut it. As far as helping UNC, well, let’s just say that a shaky point guard is quickly shown in the Tournament. Ask FSU.
TMACfan
March 19th, 2012
2:22 pm
SlimJr
I like that^
Grandmaster JeJe (GM)
March 19th, 2012
2:23 pm
We will in any 1st round series if we are between the 3 and 6 seed. Cannot afford to drop to 7 which it doesn’t appear we will do.
ROFL @ people worrying about round 1. I guess winning in the 1st round gives ASG satisfaction because this team is not built to contend for !@#$ with this roster.
We are so banged up and we have to rely on T-Mac and Stackhouse to play bigger minutes with guys out.
And WTH is keeping Willie out so long? Just cut him already
drmaryb.[*_*].
March 19th, 2012
2:24 pm
Positioning!
One thing about having an easier schedule ahead, is that The Hawks are 26-19 (7 games above .500) and, they can choose what seed they bill be by handling some business on the “back nine”. A little golf speak there, but you get the point. Destiny is in their hands. No excuses – just get healthy, right Sund?
Najeh Davenpoop
March 19th, 2012
2:45 pm
“Pierce is a perfectly example since I think he played a bit of SG as well in the past but now sticks to what he can still do which is to use superior handle and craftiness to get his mid range game going against guys who are longer but not quick and adhesive enough to close him out.”
The big difference between Pierce and Joe, though, is that Pierce is a master at getting to the free throw line, which Joe has never done well.
On the positive side, in six starts at SF this year, Joe has been to the line 4.2 times per game as opposed to 2.9 at SG. Small sample size, but maybe for some reason Joe is better at attacking the basket against players his size and bigger as opposed to players who are smaller than him that he can post up more easily.
Astro Joe
March 19th, 2012
2:50 pm
I think the league is going through another evolution, probably related to the berth of the scoring PG AND lack of traditional centers. Teams are going with two smaller guards, like our current line-up, the Clippers have done the same throughout this season, along with several other teams. This line-up definitely allows Teague to be more comfortable as a scoring threat, because he knows that there are 3 other facilitators on the floor with him (Hinrich, Joe & Josh). I’m not totally convinced that SF is the right thing for Joe, his recent scoring outburst is related to his improved 3 FGA%, which is likely directly related to his knee issues. But overall, if you can use agility, quickness and speed to win games (because pure size is not as big of an issue as 10-15 years ago), then it makes perfect sense to do something like pair CP3 with Billups/Foye or Rubio with Ridnaur or the way Denver often closes games with Lawson & Andre Miller on the floor. And it kind of makes you wonder if the Hawks should maintain the structure of the line-up next season. I’d love to see Teague paired with someone like Jarrett Jack to be a younger, healthier and likely more vocal version of Hinrich (but that would require a trade).
Astro Joe
March 19th, 2012
3:02 pm
Oops, and I should add to my post above, that I could give a ISH what is best for Joe or Teague… team success is what matters and the structure seems to makes sense for a team devoid of a true center AND for a league with only a handful of low-post scoring threats who can dominate a game (or series). Now, the question becomes how to fill those slots, once you identify the correct structure. I could see someone like George Hill (along with Jack) also playing that role quite well. It has to be someone with both speed and enough size to match-up against traditional SGs (who are also fading into the sunset as difference-makers in the league).
Melvin
March 19th, 2012
3:09 pm
Astro,
I wouldn’t mind seeing Kirk re-sign but I think the Hawks will definitely have to move Marvin in the offseason to do that. With increases going to Joe and Josh, Hawks have over $60 mil invested in 6 players. They have to balance out their payroll to remain competitive and stay below the Luxury Tax b/c the penalty is more severe in the upcoming years.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 19th, 2012
3:13 pm
As of right now I am in the 6th and final playoff spot in the fantasy basketball league despite being in last place two months ago. Thanks to all the people below me who stopped updating their teams.
Astro Joe
March 19th, 2012
3:19 pm
Melvin, Hinrich wouldn’t be my first choice to return. I like him a lot and always thought that he would do exactly what Teague described above… set an example for his teammates about how to play with tenacity from the tiip-off to the last second of the clock. For a team that often uses “lack of energy” as an excuse, Hinrich is a great aspirin for that ongoing headache. But even more than that, this team needs an on-court leader. Even the most diehard Teague fans has to acknowledge that he doesn’t appear to have the personality required to for that job (which is not to say that he doesn’t have a role on the team or even as an ongoing starter). So I continue to long for someone like Jack who brings some of Hinrich’s intangibles with strong leadership qualities to boot. As far as I’m concerned, trade anyone on the team to fill the structure correctly, none of these guys have done anything but repeatedly bang their head on the same ceiling the past 3 seasons. And none of them have generated a top 20 home attendance ranking.
Rod from College Park
March 19th, 2012
3:20 pm
“It appears the three-guard approach may be around for awhile.
“It gives us another guard who can really defend,” Drew said. “It takes [Johnson] off the ball a little bit but we are still able to run things through him. With both Jeff and Kirk in the backcourt it gives us some versatility at the guard spot.
“With Kirk in the lineup, especially at the very beginning, he really gets after it. It just makes us much more aggressive and gives us another guy with the ability to break you down off the dribble. It gives us another guy who can catch and shoot. So far it has worked out.”
Some of these quotes from Coach Drew, and even Woodson are so funny to me. It took you 5 or 6 years of being around the same team, to realize that taking Marvin out of the starting lineup is a better look for this team. It has nothing to do with Hinrich, because even if you started McGrady at the 3, the team would be much better. The only issue is Marvin starting. He plays better (more aggressive) off the bench, and he really serves no purpose when he starts. I have been screaming to get Marv out of the starting linuep for 3 years. Notice since he switched the starting linup, we do not get down big early, and have been playing a much better brand of basketball. Marvin was, is, and has always been the weak link.
Astro Joe
March 19th, 2012
3:22 pm
Najeh, congrats. I hope that you don’t jinx yourself like JeJe did a few weeks ago, when he crowed about being in first place here on the blog. He was in that penthouse suite shorter than Kris Humphries marriage to Kim K.
Whoever is in first place should win by default, because that guy has only made like 2 transaction the entire season. DANG, that is wicked good.
drmaryb.[*_*].
March 19th, 2012
3:40 pm
AJ!
Awesome post re: transitonal roles in the NBA to wprk around a lack of Kareem Abdul Jabar’s in the league.
Ramon Sessions would have been perfect here for the side-kick to Jeff Teague role. I just don’t know if Sessions can play defense? Looks like Kirk is a perfect fit for us right now. Jeff loves it. Now we got to re-work the bench usage.
Astro Joe
March 19th, 2012
3:46 pm
I predicted the Hawks would win 65% of their games this season (akin to a 53 wins during a normal season). If they go 14-7 to finish the season, they will end 3 wins short of my prediction. And despite the almost hatred for the guy, I do think that injuries to Al (and others like Joe, Marvin, Willie, TMac and maybe even Collins) could easily have contributed to a handful of losses. Not too shabby for an awful head coach, awful GM, awful owners and a roster of non-superstars who can’t generate a buzz in their own city.
TMACfan
March 19th, 2012
3:50 pm
The bench is what is going to win/lose is games in the postseason.
That’s what I believe. We need to do what Jamal did except add defense.
Grandad
March 19th, 2012
3:56 pm
AJ;
Thanks for acknowledging cap`n kirk as being a solid pro.
____________________________________________
Mary Ellen;
If we are lucky Fab Melo falls past us in the draft.
*[I would rather have Dramond Green (6-6; 235 lbs) from Mich St]
-or-
*[John Jenkins; shooter from Vandy]
____________________________________________
Why are we hawks fans worrying about the play-offs
when the owners / GM-Sund don`t give a shoo shoo.
____________________________________________
doc
March 19th, 2012
4:04 pm
rod you know it is three guadline up in name only
aj we can lift our heads again as kirk comes around. shoulders affect hips, backs, knees and foot balance strength and allignment more than people realize. for back pain i always look to the shoulders and hips and often find they are skewed with one side up for both hip and shoulder. the same people have been told they have a short leg. nope they are critically misalligned and are compensating in their muscles to maintain balance. now that he has his strength and balance his
feet are under him again.
also left you a good piece on woody from nytimes yesterday on his mentor. worth a look.
JaeEvolution
March 19th, 2012
4:04 pm
Why would we want Fab Melo to fall past us? Green and Jenkins are both very nice players who can no doubt contribute at the next level, but we are at the point where we should be looking for team needs. We’ve needed no position more than C for the past 10 years, and he’s an athletic shotblocking Center at that making him the perfect fit for both Josh and Al.
doc
March 19th, 2012
4:09 pm
aj, the last week if in the playoffs is silly and you have to find out who is still playing vs who is resting. you cajt count on dwade ir labron types to even get out of street clothes. it also maybe works to our advantage if still playing for something as they are almost all at home.
bigdave
March 19th, 2012
4:14 pm
“Whoever is in first place should win by default, because that guy has only made like 2 transaction the entire season. DANG, that is (wicked good).”
…………………………………………………………………………..
lol.. c’mon Stro, its the kid of course! remember this email.. from 12.21.11; i think i took my draft waay to seriously though. i had a board and everything.. its been fun.
12.21.11
Stro joe..
1st fantasy league ever.. smh. however, i was into the pick one challenge over at NBA.com and finished in the 94 percentile..
explain the difference b/t a bench player and a flex player.. in regards to drafting and your starting lineup..
are your bench players set on a day to day basis.. as they accumulate points w/ your starting lineup..
i pretty much understand the concepts etc. just dont want to violate..
strick
March 19th, 2012
4:53 pm
jj hickson being bought out by the Kings…would help hawks wouldnt he?
Astro Joe
March 19th, 2012
4:54 pm
bigdave, much respect. Though in hindsight, I wish I had provided false advice.
. You’re having a legendary fantasy season. But it ain’t over until all of the popcorn is gone. (Or something like that).
doc, I’ll have to check out the article. And thanks for the good stuff on Hinrich’s balance/health. I was wondering why it took so long for him to “get his legs”, sounds like he was trying to get more than just his legs to act right.
Rod from College Park
March 19th, 2012
4:56 pm
TMACfan,
“The bench is what is going to win/lose is games in the postseason.
That’s what I believe. We need to do what Jamal did except add defense.”
That my friend is where the problem lies. This team will not be able to replace Jamal, because Jamal was our best scorer in the playoffs. Joe fell off, like usual, Josh dropped in production slightly, and Horford fell of in production and FG%. Stan Van Gundy, as well as Coach Thibs both stated that their defense was set up to stop Jamal Crawford, not Joe Johnson. I like TMac alot also, but he just does not have that kind of game anymore. I think Josh is a better scorer now, but we will have to have someone step up, and take over games when it counts. I am not sure we have that person on this team. I hope someone surprises me, but I won’t be holding my breath.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 19th, 2012
5:07 pm
Zaza and KG will be starting against each other head to head for the first time ever tonight, if I’m not mistaken. I will be very disappointed if they don’t get into a fight.
doc
March 19th, 2012
5:09 pm
aj it is pretty subtle stuff but at these guys level of performance it is huge. i saw a olympic hurdler going through special acupuncture to balance his body dynamics to maybe gain 2 degrees of flexion. these guys are on a different level than us humans and we forget it often. most of us couch potatoes would be still about two months from recovery of pain much less function with similar operations as he had. as in twin’s case you cant push it as the body takes 6 weeks to begin to heal itself and recarve out what it has laid down as scars begin to shift and remold. the body is fantastic and it should be allowed to heal a bit on its own and not through the hgh sh!T THAT ONLY SETS PEOPLE UP FOR RECURRENCE UNLESS MILLIONS ARE ON THE LINE. didnt mean to cap it.
Dawg
March 19th, 2012
5:53 pm
If Fab Melo is available at our pick, we need to draft him. He is tall and athletic and a shot blocker. We need to be developing someone. Our brilliant GM will screw the draft up someway.
Perhaps we will sell our pick for cash. Would it shot anyone?
Najeh Davenpoop
March 19th, 2012
6:37 pm
Willie Green is back tonight according to MC’s Twitter.
Dept. Of Unintended Irony
March 19th, 2012
6:40 pm
“Perhaps we will sell our pick for cash. Would it shot anyone?”
Who knew picks could shoot? Shocking!
northcyde
March 19th, 2012
6:45 pm
Lol@ Rod still telling that lie about Jamal. He had a great series vs Orlando and flat out sucked in the Bulls series. Dude shot 39% fg in the playoffs, yet he was our best scorer?
The Hawks bench will be more potent as a group, than as a one man circus show.
Jeff Teague is the x-factor in the playoffs. When he plays well, this team can hang with anybody. Hopefully he’ll be more consistent in the playoffs, than he has been during the regular season.
LOL Jamal our best scorer. He never shot over 40% fg in the 2 seasons he were a Hawk in the playoffs.
Rod from College Park
March 19th, 2012
7:04 pm
So the year we beat Milwaukee in the playoffs, and Brandon Jennings killed us in that series, he only shot 40% from the field. does that mean that he was not their best scorer? Your logic is flawed. I has posted article from Stan Van Gundy, and Thibs in which they both stated that the hardest guy to stop agianst the Hawks in the playoffs was Jamal Crawford. I did not make that up. That was straight from the opposing coaches mouth. One thing that we do know is that time will tell. As I continue to say, keep thinking that Pargo and Green will win playoff games for us. You will see.
Najeh Davenpoop
March 19th, 2012
7:05 pm
Andre Aldridge just made a reference to The Wire on the Hawks pregame show. Props.
Michael Cunningham
March 19th, 2012
7:12 pm
new blog posted. shutting down this thread.